OK, I'm 15 and there is a lot of pressure on me and so I've been cutting. I've been cutting since iwas 12. Is there anyone like me? Is there hope for me? Is there help for me?

Yes there are people like you. You need to tell an adult that you are close with about your problem and help them help you work it out. You won't be able to stop alone but you need to stop because its not healthy, as I'm sure you know. As for the pressure, everyone has pressure you just have to learn to deal with it and face it and make the right decisions. Cutting yourself however is not the way. Talk to someone and get help =)

I rather not talk to a family member, they won't understand

Yes, there are people like you. Like kino said, everyone has pressures. Some deal with it by drinking, others relieve stress by smoking, and still others have their own healthy or unhealthy ways of dealing.

When I get stressed out, I wash dishes or clean the bathroom. Find a different way other than cutting to relieve your stress. The best way to stop doing it is to substitute a healthy behavior and do that every time. Make a list of healthy behaviors that mean something in your life and that would be good subs for the cutting. Then pick one or two and do it!

i rather not talk to a family member, they won't understand

How about a friend's mom or a teacher or your guidance counselor?

Also, what pressure is there on you?

Is this related to the post about the step-father? Is that part of the pressure you are under?

It doesn't have to be a family member, any older adult will do. If you go to church then you can tell your youth pastor about it, a teacher, the nurse, anyone who is older and near you will be willing to help you!

The pressures in high school are hostile! I told a friend, but what can she do help me?

Now, please explain what you mean by "hostile" pressures.

Your friend can't help you. Only you can help you.

I don't know how to help myself. There are so many pressures on kids! You have to look a way, I'm not like others. People classify me a freak or an emo

That's right. You don't know how to help yourself--yet! Call the suicide hotline the way I told you in another of your posts, and ask them how to get help from someone who will teach you how to help yourself.

What pressures? Please list at least five so we can understand.

There are so many steriotypes in high school. You have to look a way, I'm classified as a freak or an emo

There have always been stereotypes in high school, even back in the Stone Age when I was there.

Now, again I ask, please list five pressures. You've listed one: fitting in.

I'm classifies as a freak or an emo. I hate it so much! It really hurts me, so I hurt myself to let the pressure go

1. Fitting in
2. criticism from other kids
3.
4.
5.

So only those two stressors? Not being accepted by others because you are stereotyped?

I wish she would come back and at least tell us if she managed to call one of the hotline numbers.

I agree. I hate not knowing the end of the story.

And your cutting stops them from talking about you exactly how??

I know you believe this is something new but in the 60's there were nerds, druggies, hippies and other groups. If you were not one of the cool kids ou were something else. Names of the groups and ways of dress change but the problems have always been there.

The real issue here is that no matter if the stress is new or not you are having to deal with your stress.
So you talk to your parents, talk to a school couselor, call some of the hotlines that were provided. In the end you are going to have to get professoinal help.

Fr. Chuck is right, in the end you are going to need professional help to get you through all that you have described to us - from the cutting to the suicidal thoughts to the problems at home with the step-father. Hope you have gotten ahold of someone who can direct you to help where you live.

I'm back

I tried a hotline #, but it didn't help

Then you try again - never give up or give in. No one is going to fight for you like you can. Call a different hotline number or check your phone book - in the yellow pages - for mental health services.

No one thing is going to help over night, you did not get into your situation over night, and being honest you will not be cured over night,
It is going to be one day at a time, And sometimes calling and talking to some of the help lines two or three times a day, and knowing there are people who do want to help you.

Some of these may be the same numbers as before, but here are some good help lines

Child abuse 1-877-237-0004

National suicide hotline 1-800-621-4000

Children's service gateway 800-394-3366

National children's alliance 800-239-9950